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Irish Surnames as Baby Names

Irish surnames have eclipsed traditional first names as baby names, especially for girls. Irish surnames such as Riley, Kennedy, and Finley are more popular baby names in the US today than traditional Irish names such as Bridget and Patrick.

Riley is the top Irish name of any kind of baby girls in the US today, with Ryan the top Irish surname used as a first name for boys. Along with Riley and Ryan, the other top Irish surname names used as first names in the US are Connor and Nolan for boys, Kennedy and Quinn for girls.

One fresh factor in Irish surnames for babies: Names that start with Mac or O' are now fair game as first names. So if you want to name your baby O'Brien or McNamara, go right ahead. Here's a whole group of rollicking Irish surnames that work for both girls and boys....or you can use one from your own family background.

To explore Irish name options beyond surnames, click here for our full list of Irish baby names.

Kerry

Meaning: dark, dark-haired

Origin:Irish
2963
Devin

Meaning: poet

Origin:Irish
3323
Devin

Meaning: poet

Origin:Irish
1133
Flannery

Meaning: descendant of Flannghal

Origin:Irish
3632
Flannery

Meaning: descendant of Flannghal

Origin:Irish
8854
Kiernan

Meaning: little dark one

Origin:Irish
4263
Kiernan

Meaning: little dark one

Origin:Irish
3901
Magee

Meaning: son of Hugh

Origin:Irish
16259
Magee

Meaning: son of Hugh

Origin:Irish
11675
Ennis

Meaning: from the island

Origin:Irish
2072
Keenan

Meaning: ancient

Origin:Irish
2340
Keenan

Meaning: ancient

Origin:Irish
12160
Curran

Meaning: descendant of Curran

Origin:Irish surname from O Corrain
6142
Curran

Meaning: hero, champion

Origin:Irish
16395
Donnelly

Meaning: dark brave one

Origin:Irish
17555
Donnelly

Meaning: dark, brave one

Origin:Irish
8834
Farrell

Meaning: courageous

Origin:Irish
4247
Farrell

Meaning: courageous

Origin:Irish
17641
Yeats

Meaning: the gates

Origin:English
9100
Mccarthy

Meaning: son of Cárthach

Origin:Irish surname
16315